In the Season 3 premiere of TruTV’s “Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura”, Jesse and the crew (which now includes Ventura’s son, Tyrel, and filmmaker Oliver Stone’s son, Sean Stone) tackle one of the more popular conspiracy theories of the last few years: the so-called “Reptilian” conspiracy.

This conspiracy theory, popularized by theorist David Icke, claims that most of the world’s leaders throughout history have been descendants of an ancient race of alien Reptilians and human inter-breeders originating from ancient Sumeria, known as the “Annunaki.” The theory explains that this Reptilian-human bloodline has been maintained by “The Elite,” including the royal families of Europe and, later, the major American political dynasties. Proponents of the theory contend that most of today’s world leaders, including the last several U.S. presidents, are descendants of this bloodline.

Some believe that these Reptilian descendants can shape-shift and, at certain times, have done it accidentally while cameras watched and recorded the strange phenomenon unfold. Countless videos on the internet purport to show various world leaders experiencing these temporary shifts, their eyes appearing to become lizard-like slits and their skin going from smooth to scaly.

As it is pointed out in the episode, the Reptilian conspiracy made Time Magazine’s “10 of the World’s Most Enduring Conspiracy Theories” list from 2009. However, Jesse Ventura begins the episode and investigation rather skeptical about the Reptilian conspiracy. “It makes all us conspiracy theorists looks nuts,” complains Jesse. On the contrary, Jesse’s son, Tyrel, and Sean Stone seem to be more willing to believe the theory, and push Jesse to research it. “I want to blow the lid off this thing. And if its’ not true, I’m not only going to blow the lid off this, I’m going to blow the lid off you two!” warns Jesse.

The investigation begins with Jesse meeting with a woman named Tracy Twyman. The two meet in an underground cave, apparently to illustrate the part of the theory which suggests that many members of this Reptilian race live secretly underground. “This is bizarre to me, I’ve got to be honest with you,” says Jesse. Twyman explains the link between the ancient Sumerians and today’s world leaders, citing Burke’s Peerage genealogical research tying the European royal families to most of the U.S. presidents, but Jesse remains unconvinced. “You’re here with a straight face telling me it’s real?” asks Jesse. “They’re literally coming from an alternative dimension,” explains Twyman.

Meanwhile, Tyrel Ventura and Sean Stone meet with Jose Escamilla, a video expert who examines the online videos of world leaders experiencing temporary shape-shifts. Videos of Queen Elizabeth, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton allegedly shape-shifting are examined in slow-motion, revealing their eyes turning lizard-like, and then back again, within a split second. Escamilla admits that 98% of the videos are faked, but maintains he doesn’t know how to explain the other 2%.

The fourth member of Jesse’s crew, June Sarpong, meets with radio host and journalist Clyde Lewis, who relates the story of Susan Reed, a woman who wrote a book about her relationship with an alleged Reptilian. In her book, Reed sought to expose the Reptilian agenda of which she had become aware, and claimed that people were trying to murder her for what she knew. Shortly after the book was published, she was found dead by drowning while vacationing in the Bahamas. While police ruled out foul play, Reed’s mother still believes she was killed, as does Lewis. Lewis believes the Reptilian conspiracy is real and a serious threat to the non-elite of the world, and that Reed’s revelations might have inspired such severe countermeasures. “The agenda is to colonize and also kill 85% of the population,” explains Lewis.

Next, Tyrel Ventura and Sean Stone meet with a woman who claims to be a Reptilian, herself, named JuJului Kuita. JuJu (as she is informally called) relates a story of her partner being in bed with her and waking up next to a Reptilian-shifted JuJu. Sean brings in his friend Cassandra Van Zant, a psychic channeler whom Tyrel and Sean hope may help JuJu contact her ancient alien relatives. As Van Zant begins to channel JuJu’s alien relatives, Van Zant and JuJu begin touching hands and speaking the Reptilian language, which sounds similar to the nonsensical utterances of those who speak in tongues during religious trances. During this channeling session, Tyrel Ventura thinks he may have spotted JuJu’s eyes turn Reptilian for a disappearing moment. “They looked like slits,” he says. Sean Stone, however, did not happen to see JuJu’s Reptilian eye-shift.

The investigation next brings Jesse and the crew to Dulce, New Mexico to meet with John Rhodes, a man who calls himself a “Reptilian hunter” and runs an organization called the “Reptoid Research Center.” “I ain’t never seen no lizard person. I ain’t never seen no reptile-humanoid thing,” Jesse tells Rhodes. Rhodes claims there is an underground base in Dulce, New Mexico, a widely shared belief amongst conspiracy theorists. Rhodes, however, believes the underground base is run by Reptilian-humanoids. Despite his extraordinary claims, Jesse is willing to give Rhodes a chance. “I’ll tell you what- you don’t seem crazy to me. You seem exceptionally intelligent to me. I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt… let’s go Reptilian hunting!”

“But first, the boys and I have some preparation to do- target practice,” says Jesse. Jesse and the crew head to a shooting range to test different weapons they might be able to use against the Reptilians if a confrontation ensues. “What do you think we’d need to knock ‘em down if we go to war with them?” asks Jesse. “If you find an army full of them, use that machine gun,” says a guy working at the shooting range.

Jesse and the crew then head back to the Dulce site with John Rhodes, as well as Apache guide Wain Valverde and Sean Stone’s psychic friend, Anya. The crew starts discussing the high-wattage power lines that head up a mesa, but seem to lead to nowhere. Rhodes believes these power lines head underground to power the secret base. Using sophisticated drilling equipment to create the underground base, Rhodes thinks drilling and construction began in 1972, starting from Los Alamos, New Mexico, approximately 120 miles away. Rhodes points out openings in the ground that he thinks might be secret entrances to the base. A frustrated Jesse, however, wants more substantial proof. Suddenly, the psychic picks up something- a powerful sensation that Reptilians are near. The guys follow her as she tracks her feelings to a specific location. Anya settles on the location, becomes emotional and starts to break down. “Please don’t make me go! They’re not going to let me go in there,” she cries. “They’re saying ‘stay back’.” Sean asks who is saying this to her, and she responds, “they’re Reptilian.” Jesse remains unconvinced, even after Rhodes points out a water drain he suspects might be a secret entrance. “Like I’ve always said, if I can’t see it, I don’t believe it,” maintains Jesse.

The final stage of the investigation leads to the main bard of the Reptilian conspiracy, David Icke. Icke’s unusual history is recounted, including his infamous 1991 appearance on British television during which he claimed to be the son of God. But first, Jesse meets with conspiracy icon, Alex Jones, to discuss Icke and the validity of his theories. “At the end of the day, it becomes a diversion,” says Jones. “Years ago, I said he was the turd in the punchbowl.” During this introduction to Icke, the voice-over narration refers to Icke as a “one-man conspiracy conglomerate” charging “rock star prices” to his events, and that he has turned his Reptilian conspiracy into a “personal money mint.”

Jesse tracks down David Icke at a sold-out seminar Icke is holding in Cleveland, Ohio. When the two come together in a barren backstage room, Jesse doesn’t bother hiding his skepticism. “I’ve been on the planet 60 years, I have not seen a Reptilian yet. Tell me where to go to see one,” says Jesse. Icke explains that “not everything that exists, exists within visible light.” “So how do I turned on the radio and see a Reptilian?” Jesse mockingly asks.

“Tell me what I got to do to see one,” presses Jesse. “Give me some proof.” Icke seems flustered, and unwilling or unable to give Jesse the answers he seeks. Icke calmly tells that he’s written a book that explains it, and that he’s giving a 9-hour presentation that day that explains it, as well. “This guy expects me to read 700 pages for a simple answer?” asks Jesse in a voice over. “If I sit through these 9 hours, will it become clear to me?” he asks Icke.

Jesse then asks Icke simply, “Is your information accurate?” “Yeah it gets down to that. He’s pushing the theory, but he’s not taking responsibility,” says Jesse in a voice-over. Icke defends himself, saying “Look, Jesse- you can take it how you want… but what you need is an open mind.”

The voice-over narration then tallies up the estimated revenue of Icke’s various Reptilian conspiracy money-making endeavors, coming up with an estimate of about $2 million a year. Jesse then plainly asks Icke, “Is this what this is really about- making money?” Icke is clearly upset at this point, replying “I thought this was going to be a serious conversation.” Shortly thereafter, Icke gets up and leaves the interview. Then, footage is shown of Icke in another room, getting ready to leave, saying “that guy can fuck off.” When learning of Icke’s profanity laced send off, Jesse quips “That’s mighty brave of him to say that when he leaves the room.”

After conducting his investigation, it is clear that Jesse Ventura remains completely unconvinced of the existence of the Reptilian conspiracy. But he asks, “Why wouldn’t you ask questions about something as bizarre as this?” According to Jesse, the conspiracy is bigger than David Icke, and that too many people, possibly numbering in the millions, believe his story of the world’s leaders being shape-shifting reptoids. “How cynical, how fed up can we be, that we decide our leaders are aliens and that we can’t fight back?” he asks. Jesse believes there are real conspiracies hatched by the world’s leaders and the elite, but that they’re definitely not Reptilians. “They’re people- just human beings, like you and me. Keep fighting.”

Another season of “Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura” promises to unpack some of the world’s most reality-shattering conspiracies, as well as supply a wealth of one-liner zingers from America’s most trusted, professional wrestler-turned governor-turned conspiracy theorist, Jesse Ventura. Tune in next week for a review of Episode #2… and keep fighting.